Finnish atmospheric scientists investigate complex climate connections of particles in Arctic

Four researchers from the University of Helsinki on board the German research vessel Polarstern are analysing the Arctic atmosphere and the processes that take place there, with the aim of creating increasingly accurate climate change models.

“What we are most interested in is change, as the Northern Hemisphere is changing at such a frighteningly radical pace,” says research coordinator Tuija Jokinen.

She is one of 600 researchers working on the ship over the 2019–20 season, each of whom will spend about two months on board. On top of that, getting to and from the ship takes an additional month. At any given time, the vessel will be carrying approximately 100 scientists. During the year-long project Jokinen’s team is observing phenomena such as the formation of fine particles and their effects.